Overview
The Text Comment tool allows you to add text-format comment that is visible on the right side of the Kami document. It's the most straightforward way to communicate with collaborators and is ideal for leaving feedback, stating corrections, asking clarifying questions, or leaving encouragement.
Key features and benefits
Using the Text Comment tool streamlines your grading and collaboration workflow.
Speedy Feedback: Quickly type and insert notes without switching between different tools.
Accessibility: Save your hands and dictate your thoughts directly into the comment via Voice Typing, or quickly finish your typing using the Predictive Text feature.
Clear Anchoring: Attach comments precisely to a word, phrase, or sentence, ensuring the student knows exactly what your comment refers to.
Collaboration: Easily start a discussion thread on a document for student replies or peer review.
Requirements
The Text Comment tool is a basic feature, which means it is available to all Kami accounts.
However, additional features, such as Voice Typing and Translation, are only available with a paid Kami license.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these steps to learn how to place a Text Comment on a document in Kami:
Step 1: Click the Comment tool on the toolbar and select the Text Comment option.
Step 2: Click on the document to place the comment anchor. You have two options:
Click anywhere on the document to create the standard, movable anchor point. The anchor is represented by a small circle that you can customise the color.
Click and drag over text to highlight and anchor the comment to the text you just highlighted.
Step 3: Type your comment directly into the comment box that appears on the right side of the document. Press the Enter key from your keyboard or click outside the box to save the comment.
Optional: To delete your comments, click the ellipsis button to reveal more options and select the Delete button (trash bin icon).
Accessibility Features
The Text Comment tool includes several extra features that enhance efficiency and accessibility.
Voice Typing
Use your voice to dictate comments, saving time and effort.
Click the Voice Typing button (Microphone icon). The icon will turn red, indicating that your device's microphone is recording.
Speak your comment clearly into your device's microphone.
The text will automatically appear in the comment box.
Click the Voice Typing button again to stop recording.
Predictive Text
Receive instant word suggestions as you type.
Click the Predictive Text button.
As you begin typing a word, suggestions will appear.
Click a suggested word or press a number key in your keyboard that corresponds to the suggested word to instantly complete it.
Translate
Translate the text in the comment into a language of your choice.
Click the Translate button and select your preferred language from the dropdown.
The text will be instantly translated into your preferred language. This translation is only visible to you. It is most helpful when you want to translate other collaborator's comment.
Read Aloud
Have the comment read back to you through audio.
Click the Read Aloud button.
The text of the comment will be read aloud using the selected voice language in your Read Aloud tool or the closest voice language it can find.
Frequently asked questions
Can I save the Text Comments I use often?
Can I save the Text Comments I use often?
Yes. Any Text Comment you create can be easily saved to the Annotation Bank. Simply click the ellipsis button and click the Annotation Bank button. This fantastic feature allows you to reuse comments you commonly use by letting you drag and drop them onto any documents from the Annotation Bank panel, saving you a significant amount of time. More details about this feature in our Annotation Bank article.
How do collaborators (such as students) start a discussion thread?
How do collaborators (such as students) start a discussion thread?
Collaborators can simply reply by typing in the text field under a comment. All collaborators will be able to see the replies.
Can I change the color of the Text Comment anchor?
Can I change the color of the Text Comment anchor?
Yes. Before you place your comment, you can click the Color Palette icon located in the Comment tool options menu to change the color of the anchor point or highlight. This however, does not cange the color of the text of the comment itself.
Can I edit a Text Comment after I added it?
Can I edit a Text Comment after I added it?
Yes. Simply click on the text content of the comment for it to allow you to edit the comment.
Does the Text Comment tool work on scanned PDFs?
Does the Text Comment tool work on scanned PDFs?
Yes, but for the best experience, we recommend running the Text Recognition featiure first. This ensures the document allows you to click and drag over text to anchor the comment to specific text in the document.
Is there a character limit for Text Comments?
Is there a character limit for Text Comments?
While there is no strict character limit, we recommend keeping comments concise and focused. If you need to give a lengthy explanation, consider using a Voice Comment or Screen Capture Comment to be more efficient.